As an immigrant, this week I reflect on the journey that brought me to this beautiful land I now call home. Yet, the thought that one of my children could grow up harboring the disdain exemplified by figures like Secretary Marco Rubio and President Donald Trump is nothing short of disheartening. How could I—someone who was embraced by so many of you upon my arrival—raise a child capable of denying others the very kindness I received? Their birthright American citizenship is an inheritance forged from your generosity, compassion, and the welcoming smiles that greeted me when I first arrived. I was a stranger, yet you opened your hearts and said, “Welcome!”
Let’s be clear: leaders like Rubio and Trump do not embody the sacred values of this great nation. Their rhetoric, steeped in division and hostility, threatens to unravel the very fabric of our society. America is better than this—we are a nation that looks out for one another, a community that cares.
As someone who came to this nation as an international student, I am heartbroken and deeply troubled by the ongoing arrests of international students orchestrated by Rubio and Trump. Specifically, the arrest of Rumeysa Ozturk, a Turkish doctoral student at Tufts University, for simply writing an op-ed in a college newspaper is beyond comprehension. This incident raises an urgent question: Where are we headed as a nation? It breaks my heart when my children voice their concerns, “Dad, if you speak out like you do in your sermons or in the E-Crier, you could be arrested. Your citizenship could be revoked.” I understand their fears; I have experienced that uncertainty before. But how can I stand by at a time like this?
Authoritarianism preys on the vulnerable, exploiting the fear of “the other” to silence dissent.
The hard truth is that those in power are usually aware of the balance surrounding public sentiment on immigration. By manipulating existing divides, they aim not only to intimidate immigrants but also to send a chilling message to anyone who dares challenge the status quo. History teaches us the dangers of such tactics—this is the path that led to unimaginable horrors; the Nazi regime did precisely that. We cannot afford to take this lightly.
Now is the time to act as one. We must dismantle the harmful myth that depicts immigrants as criminals—a myth that has been sold to us. Unfortunately, the media has played its part by highlighting a few bad actors who have sparked this frenzy. The crackdown has now even extended to international students from Islamic nations, merely for their views on Palestine. How is this any different from the oppressive regimes of North Korea and Russia, where the very notion of being “American” is twisted to paint individuals as villains, justifying inhumane arrests meant to instill fear in their citizens? Is this truly the America we aspire to be?
My hope is, I pray that my children recognize their existence as products of empathy, love, and collective kindness. I hope they carry the humility that stems from understanding their immigrant lineage and advocate for others striving to build a life in this beautiful land. Anything less would be a betrayal of everything I hold dear—a heartbreaking contradiction that would overshadow my struggles and sacrifices.
I remain hopeful. In these challenging times, let us awaken to the reality of our shared humanity. Together, we can reaffirm what it means to be truly American—grounded in ubuntu, compassion and support for one another. We owe it to ourselves and to future generations.
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From the E-Crier of April 24, 2025. Subscribe to the weekly newsletter.